Villar leads another Las Piñas festival for 120th anniversary of 1897 Battle of Zapote Bridge

Las Piñas City commemorated on Friday the 120th anniversary of the 1897 Battle of Zapote Bridge, led by Sen. Cynthia A. Villar who kicked off the two-day 3rd Las Piñas Zapote River Festival with the inauguration of the 2nd phase of the Zapote River Drive.

Villar opened the new phase, that extends from Margie Moran St. in BF Resort Village to Pegasus Street in Moonwalk Village, which is expected to cut to only 10 minutes the drive from Moonwalk to Zapote using the Alabang Zapote Road. The route currently takes one hour in traffic.

'I am excited with the idea that commuters, especially employees who work in the area, can now arrive at their destinations without experiencing the horrendous traffic in most of Las Piñas' busy streets. This new route will bring convenience and comfort to the residents, particularly those going to work and those going home, ' Villar said.

Villar has been closely working with the city government of Las Piñas and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in finding shorter routes to ease the traffic along the Alabang Zapote Road.

Villar last year opened the 1st phase of the Zapote River Drive, which starts at Barangay Zapote to Margie Moran Street in BF Resort Village.

The inauguration was followed by a drum and lyre competition, participated in by students and faculty members from 11 participating public schools.

The participants were from the Moonwalk Elementary School, Zapote Elementary School, Almanza Elementary School, Talon Elementary School, Pilar Elementary School, Almanza Elementary School- TS Cruz Annex, Pulanglupa Elementary School, Manuyo Elementary School, Las Pinas Elementary School, Daniel Fajardo Elementary School and CAA Elementary School.

Zapote Elementary School was declared as the Grand Champion, while CAA Elementary School and Almanza Elementary School got second and third place respectively.

The drum and lyre street competition was open to all elementary students enrolled in public schools in Las Piñas. Each group had a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 70 bonafide students, all certified by the school principal or head. Performance time was from 5 to 10 minutes, including entrance and exit. On Saturday, Day 2 of the River Festival, Villar cheered the runners who joined the 2nd 3K Fun Run, titled 'Takbo Para Sa Makasaysayang Zapote River', which started at Pegasus Street (River Drive) and finished at the Molino Dam.

The first run started at 6:30 in the morning and was participated in by Las Piñas residents. Winners of the first leg received finishers medal, complimentary loots bags and P 5,000 cash. First five finishers are Marco Vilog, Carlito Fantilaga, Marvin Talampas, Jojie Dagaas at Alesandro Luciano.

The second run, which started at 7am, was joined by runners from other cities and provinces. Winners also received finishers medal, complimentary loot bags and P 5,000 cash. First five finishers for the second leg are Rowel Galbero, Junel Gobotea, Reynold Villafranca, Jomar Angus and Neri Elbrin.

'I look forward to events like this, which promotes healthy and friendly competition among all participants. It is such a joy to see all these runners participating in commemoration of a historic event in our city,' Villar said.